Tool for putting socks on feet

ABSTRACT

A tool for use by a person in putting socks on his feet which comprises a generally Y-shaped tool, the stem defining a handle of a length of about 10 inches and the bifurcated portion defining a generally U-shaped opening with spaced clip means secured thereabout for connecting to the margin at the opening of a sock to hold it in a stretched condition, whereby the foot of a user may be passed through the hole and into the sock and the tool utilized to pull the sock over the foot; and the terminal end of the stem or handle portion comprises a shoehorn.

United States Patent 11 1 [111 3,806,008

De Lettre Apr. 23, 1974 TOOL FOR P TTING socKs 0N FEET 3,727,812 4/1973 Weiss 223/111 7 l t h C. De L tt 850 NW. 7th 6] nven or g i i i s Fla 33136 Primary Examiner-George H. Krizmanich [22] Filed: Aug. 2, 1973 57 ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 385,089 A tool for use by a person in putting socks on his feet which comprises a generally Y-shaped tool, the stem defining a handle of a length of about 10 inches and Ccll. 223/lllh3j2g/l1/ (1) 2 the bifurcated portion defining a generally ushaped [58] Field H3 H8 opening with spaced clip means secured thereabout for connecting to the margin at the opening of a sock [56] References Cited to hold it in a stretched condition, whereby the foot of a user may be passed through the hole and into the UNITED STATES PATENTS sock and the tool utilized to pull the sock over the Welde 11 X foot; and the terminal end of the tem o handle po -a 460,045 9/1891 Tata 223/118 tion comprises a Shoehorn 2,888,177 5/1959 Zabel 223/111 3,310,209 3/1967 Clauss 223/1 11 9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures TOOL FOR PUTTING SOCKS ON FEET FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a tool for putting socks on the feet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is perhaps well known, sized socks have become rather difficult to obtain, and the hosiery industry has turned to stretch socks which accommodate a range of foot sizes but which while simplifying merchandising are relatively difficult to put on ones foot, particularly as regards older persons because they must be stretched with considerable effort, and such persons find it difficult to bend and in such a position apply the force required to stretch the socks over their feet. This invention has as an object the provision of a tool for use in putting socks on the feet without the degree of bending which is otherwise required and which may also be used as a shoehorn.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a tool for use in putting socks, particularly stretch socks, onto the feet of a wearer and which comprises a generally Y-shaped tool defining a handle and a generally U-shaped portion, with a plurality of clips secured about the U-shaped opening and adapted to engage the margin of the opening of a sock, whereby the sock may be secured to the clips and the foot inserted into the stretched opening of a sock and, thereafter, the handle, which extends from the U-shaped portion, utilized to pull the sock onto the foot and lower leg without excessive bending by the user, providing a convenient tool for elderly persons particularly.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a' plan view of a tool for use by a person in putting socks on his feet;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the device shown in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views illustrating the use of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring particularly to FIG. 1, the numeral 12 generally designates the tool which is generally Y-shaped defining a bifurcated portion and a handle portion 14. The bifurcated portion 16 is generally U-shaped and is constructed of sturdy, rigid material, such as plastic or wood. The U-shaped portion defines a base portion 18 and a pair of opposite legs 22 and 24. A plurality of clips, such as that designated by the numerals 26, 28, 30 and 32, are carried by the base portion and open toward the space between the legs and base, which, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, is of a size to accommodate the foot of a wearer. In the preferred embodiment, the space between the legs of the bifurcated portion is in the order of about 6 inches and the extension of the legs from the base portion at the centerline of the handle is about 5 to 6 inches. Preferably the inner edge ofthe base portion is circular and of a radius of curvature of about 3 inches.

While the cross-section of the handle and base portion of the tool are shown to be somewhat rectangular with an enlarged intermediate zone 19 and of integral wooden construction, a molded plastic portion, wherein the base portion and handle are integral and the=base portion is generally round in cross section, may be provided; and, as an alternative, the base portion may be of rigid plastic material and the handle portion may be of a different material which is connected to the base portion by screw means or in another suitable manner.

Referring to the clips 26, 28, and 32, being four in number in the preferred embodiment, each as illustrated, may comprise a clip composed of A) a base portion having 1) a first end secured to the base portion, as by rivets or nut and bolt means designated by the numeral 42, see FIG. 2, and 2) a toothed outer or terminal end 44 defining a jaw segment and B) a pivotally connected jaw segment 46, connected by pivot means 48, to the base portion 40, which segment 46 includes a jaw portion 50 and a lever portion 52 for pivotal movement to open the jaw to grip the margin 56 of the opening 58 of a sock 60 to be put on the foot of a wearer in the manner shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In use, the foot is inserted into the opening 58, after the opening of the sock has been stretched into an open and stretched condition, as shown in FIG. 3, and, thereafter, the tool is used to pull the sock over the foot and lower leg of the wearer. Thereafter, the foot with the sock on it is inserted into a shoe and the terminal end 62 of the handle of the tool, which may be dish-shaped on one side as at 64 to define a shoehorn, is used as such in a conventional manner.

What is claimed is:

1. A generally Y-shaped tool for use by a person in putting socks on his feet, comprising A. an elongate handle having a distal end and a proximal end,

B. a generally U-shaped portion defining a base portion and defining a space therebetween defining a space between the leg said handle and the U-shaped portion extending entirely in a common plane defining a straight tool and base portions large enough to accommodate the foot of a user, and

C. a plurality of clips opening toward the space on the U-shaped member and adapted to engage the margin about the opening of a sock.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tool handle and U-shaped portion are of one-piece construction.

3. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tool handle and U-shaped portion are of rigid plastic material.

4. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tool handle and U-shaped portion are of wood construction.

5. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the U- shaped portion is generally circular and the inner surface is of a radius of about 3 inches.

6. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the handle is about 10 inches in length.

7. The device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the ham dle is about 10 inches in length.

8. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the clips comprise pivotally connected jaw segments.

9. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the distal end of the handle is dishshaped defining a shoe horn. i 

1. A generally Y-shaped tool for use by a person in putting socks on his feet, comprising A. an elongate handle having a distal end and a proximal end, B. a generally U-shaped portion defining a base portion and defining a space therebetween defining a space between the leg said handle and the U-shaped portion extending entirely in a common plane defining a straight tool and base portions large enough to accommodate the foot of a user, and C. a plurality of clips opening toward the space on the U-shaped member and adapted to engage the margin about the opening of a sock.
 2. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tool handle and U-shaped portion are of one-piece construction.
 3. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tool handle and U-shaped portion are of rigid plastic material.
 4. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the tool handle and U-shaped portion are of wood construction.
 5. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the U-shaped portion is generally circular and the inner surface is of a radius of about 3 inches.
 6. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the handle is about 10 inches in length.
 7. The device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the handle is about 10 inches in length.
 8. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the clips comprise pivotally connected jaw segments.
 9. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the distal end of the handle is dish-shaped defining a shoe horn. 